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Thursday 18 Aug 2005

YOUTH CONVICTED OF ‘DICING WITH DEATH’

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“I did it for a laugh” were the words of a 17 year old youth after he cheated death having narrowly avoided being hit by a high speed train. Vigilant CCTV operators captured the chilling drama on film as it unfolded at Fitzwilliam Station in July this year.  Following what appeared to be a fight with friends the youth walked onto the railway line from the station and stood on the track.  Travelling at 100 mph, the approaching train driver took the only action he could – immediately applied the emergency brake and sounded his horn … and waited.  At the very last second the youth jumped clear. As a result of the quick actions of the CCTV operator police officers apprehended the youth at the scene and later charged him with malicious damage.  At a court appearance he was given a six-month referral order and ordered to pay £40 costs. “This young man was a split second from death, it is horrific to think of what might have happened,” said Superintendent David Farrelly, North Eastern Area Commander for British Transport Police.  “This happened just a few months after two teenagers were struck and killed near Darlington.  Despite that, and the efforts the rail industry puts in to combating this sort of crime, we almost had another young life cut short.  What must that poor driver have felt as his train bore down on the boy?” Dyan Crowther, Route Director, Network Rail said: “This is a prime example of why the rail industry works tirelessly to educate youngsters of the dangers of trespassing on the railway.  This young man is extremely lucky he was able to walk away from the track; his actions also had potentially serious consequences for the passengers and crew aboard the approaching train. “We also need to ensure that the justice system delivers a deterrent that supports our educational work to keep young people off the railway.  Our educational programme is not just directed at young people, but also features magistrates and justices of the peace to ensure that they are fully aware of the seriousness and potentially life-threatening consequences of railway crime.” Virgin Trains Director of Security, Paula Durrans said: "We continue to work closely with Network Rail and the police to try to prevent such incidents of trespass and vandalism which are potentially lethal to our customers and staff as well as the perpetrators."